4/17/2023 - TPB Likes this wine:

I really liked this with Chicken Marsala. Great balance between a bit of bright acidity that I like in Pinot's, but balanced by enough of an earthy, mushroom foundation to be memorable. Reminded me more of a decent French Pinot than typical California or Oregon. Very good!

2/9/2023 - TPB wrote:

Very nice for the price. Not rich and complex but fresh, nice minerality, very drinkable and nice herbal and peppery finish.

10/24/2022 - TPB wrote:

I think this is a fantastic and very drinkable sangiovese from a vineyard literally about 900 feet from the river dividing the brunellos from just a "rosso" just outside Montalcino. Great body, nose with rose petals and some tar. Still great acidity and mellowing tannins.

10/24/2022 - TPB Likes this wine:

Bright and balance with good acidity and enough dusty "barnyardiness" that defines the profile I like in a Pinot. Drinking really well right now.

9/10/2022 - TPB Likes this wine:

Year after year one my favorite Rose's and I normally prefer French from Provence for the balance of body and crispness. This is a Rose that rose lovers need to try.

5/25/2022 - TPB wrote:

Nice Shiraz

5/9/2022 - TPB Likes this wine:

Crisp and lemony. Not a traditional champagne flavor profile, but a nice sparkling wine more typical of Italian whites.

2/18/2022 - TPB Likes this wine:

More full bodied than light and refreshing, not as acidic as many standard roses. Very tasty but recognize what you are getting.

1/9/2022 - TPB Likes this wine:

Fabulous showing from Lioco. Clean and fruity, cherry and cola when young - although not old by Burgundy standards, this Cali Pinot is showing great earthiness, restrained fruit and the more balanced flavor profile of an older, high-end Burgundy. Had it with Guinness pie (lamb and beef) and it was great.

1/4/2022 - TPB Likes this wine:

Always love this wine good price point for an elegant merlot. Nice balance between fruit and oak - a bit of tar on the finish; smooth and enjoyable. Better second day after opens a bit.

1/4/2022 - TPB Likes this wine:

Just a fantastic, pure, thirst-quenching expression of a delightful grape. The winemaker added nothing and this is pure brambly fruit with some herbal overtones in the finish. Not complex, great with light cheeses, nice acidity and balance.

12/18/2021 - TPB Likes this wine:

Really love this wine - great with cheese, strong cheese. Light to be robust flavors.

12/18/2021 - TPB Likes this wine:

Fantastic balance for an aged Chard from Cali.

12/18/2021 - TPB Likes this wine:

Not a typical American cider and a lovely expression of a great, local apple flavor. Spicey and flavorful - like good apple cider with a bit of cinnamon and a slight beer aftertaste.

11/22/2021 - TPB Likes this wine:

Really thought this was a great bottle. Old for a Lioco wine and in the 1.5 ltr format was outstanding. Still some acidity and fruit, enough to make a perfect pairing for turkey and stuffing, but earthy, forest floor notes coming out at well on the finish and nose. Really good - buy if you can find. I think these are mostly drunk young.

11/8/2020 - TPB Likes this wine:

Excellent! Like a lighter yet more flavorful Cabernet. Full bodied with blackberry and herbs.

10/23/2020 - TPB Likes this wine:

Bright palate, mint and vegetable, black fruit and tar. Really nice.

6/18/2020 - TPB wrote:

Not positive but the wine seemed more like vinegar than the notes I have read. I have two more bottles and hope they will be different. I haven't had an older Riesling so maybe I need to change my expectation from fresh and crisp to complicated and spicey. But this didn't seem to fit that bill either.

10/29/2019 - TPB Likes this wine:

Fantastic Brunello! Ripe cherries combined with darker fruits, fresh but sophisticated and substantial.

9/24/2019 - TPB Likes this wine:

Very nice - fresh Chianti. Some darker notes of tobacco and herbs with nice dark cherry fruit. Clean finish.

7/14/2019 - TPB Likes this wine:

Bubbles muted, but fantastic nose of brioche and lemons, some vanilla and nice acidity. Drinking like a very balanced, rich still wine. Given its age, not surprising, but still very fresh.

10/17/2018 - TPB Likes this wine:

A nose that is almost “barnyard”, earthy - fresh, dark fruit palate and crisp finish. Cloudy on th initial pour but clears in the glass. Substantial but refreshing. A study in pleasing contrasts. Interesting and great value for the $

10/12/2018 - TPB wrote:

Really nice example of a clean austere CA Pinot. Light cherry and other red fruits. Nice acidity. Some depth but more crisp than complex.

5/24/2018 - TPB Likes this wine:

Light in the glass, fruity nose but depth and acidity on the palate. Great Barolo!

5/12/2018 - TPB Likes this wine:

More lemon and orange; no tropical notes sometimes typical of a SB. Non of the grassiness of a NZ SB. Nice wine for more substantial food flavors - nice summer wine.

4/14/2018 - TPB wrote:

Another Garagiste gem! Best example of a low-cost but superb example of approachable Bordeaux. Great dark fruit, blackberry and currants, full-bodied but easy to drink. Nice finish that lingers and satisfies. Great with a sophisticated steak or pizza. Just lovely for the price.

4/14/2018 - TPB Likes this wine:

For a fuller bodied, more Bordeaux like Merlot, this is hard to beat. This has years left to mellow, but deep, tobacco and pepper now. Have always felt that for the price, this is a great red wine for more robust dishes like lamb and steak. Cheap enough to drink with pizza everyday.

4/14/2018 - TPB Likes this wine:

Great for this price point. Gamey with some floral (violet) notes along with some more peppery and vegetal flavors in the finish. Adds depth and body with time exposed to air. Great PoP but even better a couple of hours later or next day.

4/14/2018 - TPB Likes this wine:

Excellent light and crisp Rose. Not a more heavy or full bodied Rose, more of aperitif, light summer sipper with nice acidity and aromas.

2/11/2018 - TPB Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed this wine. Blueberry nose with tarragon. Black fruit and lavender palate. Nice balance and long finish with a hint of vanilla and baking spice. Surprisingly full bodied for a barbera.

12/26/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Nice, classic Tempranillo. Restrained nose, cherry and leather palate with nice acidity. Great finish with subtle vanilla and some herb notes. Nicely balanced between fruit and earthy finish. Great with beef tenderloin - excelled with the food, was just okay as a sipper by itself.

12/17/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Wonderful dessert wine. Amazingly fresh and vibrant for its age. Notes of a tawny port, but with a freshness a light acidity that was surprising. Really good.

12/3/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

A bit young, nice bite. Cherry and fresh herb nose with a bright and herbal taste and finish. Nice with promise but needs to integrate a bit. Need to wait another year at least to open next bottle.

11/28/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Really nice, rich wine. Cherry nose, rich and bright flavor with herbal (rosemary and mint) notes. Great, long finish with deeper red fruits and a bit of earthy pine. A favorite with Thanksgiving meal.

11/28/2017 - TPB wrote:

Nice Pinot heavy sparkler. More lemony than expected, great body and nice finish. We had it with a pizza with a creamy sauce and garlic. Was a perfect match.

11/9/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

All the classic smells and flavors of a great Bordeaux. Still amazingly fresh and lively with blackberry and cassis - more earthy and pencil shaving smells in the nose. Nice acidity and long finish. Drinking really well and could age for years to come.

10/14/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Fresh, fruity and very drinkable. Nice balance of acidity and fruit without being coy or sweet. Like a great bistro wine at a restaurant in France.

10/8/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Still drinking nicely. Apples and peaches on the nose, slight buttery smell. Delicate and mineral on the palate with some lemon and citrus. Nice acidity, but not much at this point.

9/24/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Really impressive cool climate Syrah. Went great with a rich lamb stew. You have to be ready for a less "jammy" and fruit forward Syrah. Low alcohol (11.9%) with more minty and vegetal nose and front palate, it provides nice balance, good acidity and refreshing contrast to richer dishes. Interesting wine and great showing from Lioco.

8/15/2017 - TPB wrote:

Interesting - not a typical, fresh, summer Rose. More of gamay, lightly chilled, fuller bodied red, but different. More rose petals, floral aromas and flavors with moderate acidity and citrus finish.

5/19/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Much more like a Bordeaux blanc. Must be some oak aging. Tropical with nice citrus finish. More body and structure than most Sauvignon blancs. Very good.

5/15/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Black cherry nose, good tannic structure that supported and undercurrent of herbs - something like thyme or rosemary. Very nice.

5/15/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Very approachable, excellent balance and went great with flank stake and roasted asparagus with pecorino salad. Nice fruit, body was firm and underlying notes of herbal tones made a very nice, drinkable Bordeaux. Great value and a winner from Garagiste.

5/15/2017 - TPB wrote:

Reasonably good, predictable California Cab. comments around the table was too "sweet" which was the vanilla from the oak. Might just need more time for this to fade. Underlying structure and fruit was excellent.

5/8/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Bright and light red fruit nose, crisp, cherry and mineral palate. Good structure, could use a bit more age to mellow and let some of the dust and vegetable come to the front. Drinking very well now, could improve with age depending on the style one likes.

4/26/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

perfumed and more purple than red; maraschino cherry and something like sage in he mouth. Interesting, smooth and very drinkable. More interesting than its price point. Easy light red alternative to light appetizers and easy meals.

4/23/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Interesting and tasty wine. Spicy and brambly nose with some vegetable bitterness by also blackberry and pepper. Surprisingly fruity, round mouthful with some structure, but not tannic. Nice finish with black fruits and pepper dominating. Doesn't have the body to stand up to traditional red wine roasted or grilled meats, but great with cheese and charcuterie. Something different and enjoyable.

4/22/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Surprisingly good for the price. Cedar and blackberry nose. Nice acidity and structure that held up well to leftover roast lamb. Great finish. I love cabs with lamb, but this Brunello reminded me that nothing pairs with food like good Italian wine.

4/22/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Perfumed and light, delicate. Nice acidity. Refreshing, clean bubbler. Went well with Sushi and some light cheese.

4/22/2017 - TPB Likes this wine:

Great showing from a reliably good rose. Strawberry and nice acidity. Great body with a refreshing lightness and structure. Nicely balanced.